Tech Q&A: Windows 10 shares your Wi-Fi

Q:I heard Windows 10 shares my wi-fi connection with anyone in the area. Is this total invasion of privacy true?

A: Windows 10 includes a feature called Wi-Fi Sense that lets your friends and other Windows users connect to your network. But it’s up to you to choose to share it. If you do, Microsoft will store your encrypted password on its servers. When a visitor who has Wi-Fi Sense enabled shows up, Windows will log them into your network automatically. No one ever sees your Wi-Fi network’s password.

Q:I’ve seen the articles about hackers taking over cars and making them run off the road. Is there anything I can do to stop hackers from taking over my Dodge truck?

A: You’re talking about the recent news that Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Ram and SRT models equipped with UConnect made after mid-2013 are vulnerable. People with these models need to get a USB device from the manufacturer to upgrade the vehicle’s software. Better yet, call your nearest dealer and set an appointment for them to do the upgrade for you.

Q:Facebook is blowing up my phone with alerts! Help me!

A: You’re not alone. Who wants their phone buzzing or beeping every time a friend posts something on your wall or completes a game level? You can take control of notifications right in the Facebook app. Open it, and go to the App Settings area. Tap “Notifications” and you have a huge range of things you can control. Set whether a notification triggers a vibration, flashing LED, or ringtone. Choose if notifications show up on your lock screen. Or you can just turn all notifications off entirely if you want some peace and quiet.

Q:My daughter posts pictures of her kids all over the Internet. The kids are on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr and probably more places I never heard of. I’ve heard about people pretending kids’ pictures they find online are of their own kids. Can you tell me more about this?

A: Did you know that the average new parent posts 973 photos of their child on social media before their fifth birthday? Seems harmless, unless you’re oversharing, right? Wrong. Some 17 percent of those baby photos have no privacy restrictions at all, leaving them wide open for use in a new, online role-playing game called #BabyRP. It’s stealing baby photos for “virtual adoptions,” kidnapping and other made-up scenarios.